Creative Freedom and Opportunity in Photography

Q: Devin, what inspired you to return to the classroom?

I had been working behind a camera for several years before enrolling at Sessions, but I felt like my work was becoming stale and repetitive. I wanted to challenge myself creatively and learn new techniques, improve my technical skills, and learn new ways to run my business more efficiently. While first-hand experience had taught me a lot, I clearly didn’t know everything. Sessions has given me the opportunity to learn and grow as both a creative person and a business owner.

Q: You have served in the Army and working in law enforcement, before you chose to focus your talents into a more creative field. What sparked that choice, and what did you find in photography that called to you?

I was simply tired of running and gunning all of the time and that sort of lifestyle just isn’t for everybody. Photography started as a hobby and creative outlet while I was serving, but I enjoyed it so much that I decided to become my own boss and pursue it full time after I hung up the uniforms.

Photography offered me more freedom and opportunities than I would have had otherwise and that’s what appealed to me the most.

Q: How do you structure your time to keep your work, studies, and your personal life in harmony?

I do my best to plan ahead and make sure that I don’t miss deadlines. That is oftentimes easier said than done but consistency, communication, and a little bit of that old Army discipline have helped me keep everything moving in the right direction. It doesn’t always go smoothly, but I usually make it work.

Q: You began at Sessions in the Undergraduate Certificate program and are now working towards your Bachelor’s Degree. What are the benefits of earning a BFA?

With new innovations and improvements in technology, photography is always evolving, and I want to make sure that I keep up with those changes. Working toward my BFA has given me a stronger foundation and will help me stand out among my peers. It’s one thing to have expensive gear, but it’s another to know how to use it intentionally and understand why certain choices may offer better solutions than other choices.

I can now clearly explain and justify choices in lighting, composition, and post-processing, rather than just relying on instinct or trial and error. This deeper understanding will allow me to offer a wider range of services and approach my work with more confidence, consistency, and professionalism.

Q: What’s your favorite class or project so far?

My favorite course so far has been PHO 260: Photography Capstone and Portfolio Review. In that course, I had complete creative freedom to develop a project from mood boarding to shooting and presenting the final work. I had the opportunity to completely focus on work that I was actually interested in. The course was absolutely challenging, but it pushed me to apply everything I had learned from all the other courses to work on a project that felt like me. It also gave me a clear opportunity to reflect on how much I had grown and how much stronger my approach to photography has become.

Q: What are your plans for the future after you complete your Bachelor’s?

Photography is always evolving, so after getting my BFA I will try to keep pace with it. I plan to grow my business and would like to do more commercial work. I am also interested in exploring opportunities in the fine art space.

If you’d like to see more of Devin’s amazing photography or work with him yourself, check out his website here. To find out more about our photography courses and programs, visit our digital photography hub. Check out our Student Gallery, and schedule a meeting with our Admissions team to find out about our tuition, financial aid, scholarships, and more.